cumulonimbus cloud
1
4.8
- noun
- /ˌkjuːmjʊloʊˈnɪmbəs klaʊd/
- Specialized
:
nube de cumulonimbo
- The sky was filled with dark and towering cumulonimbus clouds that signaled the arrival of a severe thunderstorm.
Examples
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There were some large cumulonimbus clouds blocking the sun, and l-I lost power.
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We observed the characteristics of cumulonimbus clouds, noting their vertical development and the electricity crackling within them.
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As the temperature rose, cumulonimbus clouds began to form, indicating a high likelihood of heavy rainfall and lightning.
Synonyms
14
1.0
A dark, heavy cloud that shows rain or a storm is coming
3
2.5
A large dark cloud that brings thunder, lightning, and heavy rain
2
9.7
A very large dark cloud that brings thunder, heavy rain, and lightning
How Tall
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is fully compositional: 'cumulonimbus' denotes a specific cloud type and 'cloud' is the general category, so the meaning 'a dense, towering thunderstorm cloud' follows directly from the parts. Although 'cumulonimbus' is specialized vocabulary, if a learner knows that constituent the phrase is transparent and non-idiomatic.
Etymology
Cumulonimbus cloud comes from two old words: cumulus meaning 'a heap' and nimbus meaning 'a rain cloud', so the name gives the picture of a tall heap of cloud full of rain and storm. That's why cumulonimbus cloud now means a large, tall storm cloud that often brings heavy rain and lightning.